4.23 Ct.Tw.Total Carat Weight Lapis Pair from Afghanistan

I first encountered these two cushion shape blue lapis in the rough, deep within the layered metamorphic slopes of Afghanistan, where miners have been extracting lapis lazuli for thousands of years. The journey of these stones began in talc and limestone seams, where intense pressure and heat coaxed lazurite and pyrite into the vibrant blue masses that have inspired artists and royalty since antiquity. Our contacts on site selected a piece that showed an unusually deep and even blue, a sign of high quality and of minimal calcite veining, and carefully split the rough to reveal two matching tablets. At The Natural Gemstone Company we value provenance, and these lapis carry the unaltered story of their origin, they are untreated, with no enhancement, preserved in their natural, opaque beauty. The pair weighs 2.06 carats and 2.17 carats respectively, they measure 10.14 x 8.14 x 2.39 mm and 10.09 x 8.09 x 2.54 mm, they are tablet cut with intense color intensity and an excellent polish, their cushion silhouettes reflect the care taken at every stage from the mine to our workshop.

In the cutting room the lapis were approached with a quiet respect for their history, rather than an attempt to change their character, the cutter chose a tablet cut for each cabochon to emphasize the stone s deep, uniform blue and to present the surface as a canvas for the subtle gold flecks of pyrite that punctuate the material. The cushion outline was refined to offer a classic, wearable silhouette that sits comfortably in a variety of settings, the dimensions make this pair ideal for matched earrings, a balanced pendant and ring combination, or for a distinctive cufflink design. During shaping the lapis were kept cool and counterbalanced to avoid any unnecessary stress, every facet of the polish was executed to bring out the vivid hue without creating false brilliance, the result is a pair that feels honest to its geological origins and ready to be set into contemporary or traditional jewelry. When you hold them you can still sense the layered terrain they once occupied, the slight variance in weight and thickness, 2.06 carats and 2.17 carats, adds character, while the close matching in color and form makes them a gem pairing that speaks of thoughtful selection.

As a gem specialist at The Natural Gemstone Company I often describe these lapis as storytellers, they carry the whisper of Afghan highlands, the hands of miners, and the patience of cutters who chose empathy over aggression. Lapis has worn crowns, been ground into ultramarine paint for master painters, and carved into amulets across civilizations, and these stones offer a modern continuation of that lineage, untreated and true, ready to be incorporated into a piece that will also be part of someone s personal story. For care, keep them away from strong acids, household chemicals and prolonged ultrasonic cleaning, warm, soapy water and a soft cloth are the preferred method to preserve the surface and the polish, avoid hard impacts as lapis, while robust, is softer than many faceted gems, and simple, mindful care will maintain the tablet cut s smooth face and the cushion s pleasing silhouette. If you would like suggestions for settings, consider a low bezel to protect the edge, or a custom gold or silver frame that highlights the blue while echoing the warm tones of the pyrite, our design team can propose options that respect the natural look and provide secure, elegant mounting.

Choosing this pair means acquiring more than a set of stones, it means owning a piece of geological and human history, each lapis is a preserved moment from Afghanistan s storied deposits, each tablet cut and polished surface is the outcome of careful decisions made to honor that story. At The Natural Gemstone Company we stand by the quality and origin of every gem we offer, we can provide detailed images, handling advice and custom design consultations to help these lapis become a meaningful part of your jewelry. If you imagine them set as a matched pair of earrings, a complementary pendant and ring, or as a striking element in bespoke designs, reach out and we will guide you through options that amplify their intense color, their excellent polish, and their honest, untreated beauty.